Closure cap for containers



June 20, 1967 A. .1. PORTER ET AL 3,325,426

CLOSURE CAP FOR CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 14, 1964 Fla. .2

INVENTOR. ALV/A/ POR TEA A TTOFPNE Y5 United States Patent 3,326,426 CLOSlURE CAR FOR CONTAINERS Alvin J. Porter, Excelsior, and Donald W. Mathison, Minneapolis, Minn, assignors to Product Design & Engineering, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.

Filed Sept. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 396,158 Claims. (Cl. ZZZ-$21) The invention relates to an improvement in caps for containers and more particularly to a cap for the dispensing of liquid from a container.

With a container mounting an overcap having an outlet hole closeable by a solid nozzle closure pin, liquid is caused to spurt from the outlet hole when the pin is brought into full contact with the outlet hole for closure thereof. This is particularly true and highly undesirable when the container holds a low viscosity fluid such as lighter fluid used to light cigarettes, cigars, charcoal used for cooking and the like. The spurt of excess fluid causes a mess, is odoriferous and in some cases is a fire hazard.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cap which reduces to an absolute minimum the amount of fluid in excess at the outlet hole of the cap when the hole is closed off by the closure pin mounted on a nozzle. Applicant has accomplished by forming a relatively small orifice consisting of a small open channel longitudinally on the side of a closure pin which is moved into an outlet hole of an overcap, and when the channel is moved into a position whereby the channel is completely opposite the wall of the outlet hole, the channel is thereby cut oif from communication with a hollow portion of the nozzle mounting the closure pin. A closing of the cap with the least amount of excess fluid is thus brought about by closing off a relatively small orifice. The problem or" molding a small orifice without a core pin molding problem is accomplished by forming an open channel on the wall of a closure tip for coaction with the wall sur face of a closure outlet hole in which the tip operates. The orifice is opened by moving the closure pin downwardly of the outlet hole whereby the lower end of the channel is in communication with the hollow portion of the nozzle.

The channel together with a portion of the wall surface of the outlet hole form a small orifice, the diameter of which is diflicult and costly to mold where it extends through a single piece of material. The construction of thechannel and tip and the coaction of the same with the wall of the outlet hole not only provides outlet means but also closure means for the cap.

It will not be here attempted to set forth and indicate all of the various objects and advantages incident to the invention, but other objects and advantages will be rereferred to in or else will become apparent from that which follows:

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

In the drawings forming part of this application:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the closure cap embodying the invention and shown in closed condition.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 22 of FIGURE 1 with the cap in a fully open condition.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 with the nozzle in full line and the cap in a semi-closed condition, a portion of the nozzle being broken away.

FIGURE 4 is a further enlarged sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 with the cap in a fully closed condition.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the inner nozzle with the overcap removed.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the inner nozzle with the overcap removed.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of a cap with a conventional cap closure tip in open position.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of a cap with a conventional cap closure tip in closed position, a spurt of fluid illustrated as emanating from the tip as a result of the closure.

Referring to the drawings in detail the closure cap A includes the nozzle 10 which includes the hollow cylindrical base portion 12. The base portion 12 of the nozzle terminates at its upper end in the tip portion 14 which has formed therethrough passageways 16 which communicate with the hollow base 12. The tip portion 14 terminates in the axially dis-posed closure pin 13, and formed in the' outer longitudinal surface of the pin 18 is the longitudinally extending channel 20 which begins at a point spaced from the lower end of the pin and terminating at the end of the pin. With the channel 20 spaced from the lower end of the pin, there remains an uninterrupted solid portion of the pin at 21 which is that portion of the pin 18 between the lower end of the channel 20 and the point where the closure pin 18 joins the tip portion 14 of the nozzle. Formed on the upper end of the cylindrical base 12 where it terminates in the tip 14 is the annular outer bead 24. The cylindrical base portion 12 is connected to the neck portion 22 of the container C.

Further provided is the overcap 26 reciprocally mounted on the nozzle 10 and which includes the hollow cylindrical base portion 28, the inner diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical base 12. The cylindrical base portion 28 terminates at its upper end in the external flange 30 which terminates in the hollow upper end 32. The overcap 26 also includes the internal annular head 34 formed at the upper inner end of the cylindrical base portion 28. The annular bead 34 has an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the annular outer head 24 whereby the bead 34 engages the bead 24 when the cap is placed in open condition as hereinafter described. The internal annular bead 34 terminates at its upper edge in the axially disposed cylindrical chamber portion 36 of the overcap 26, and the diameter of the chamber portion 36 of the overcap 26 is substantially that of annular outer bead 24 of the nozzle 10 whereby the overcap 26 may be reciprocally moved upon the nozzle. The upward limit of travel of the overcap 26 upon the nozzle 10 is restricted by contact of the internal annular bead 34 with the outer annular head 24 of the nozzle.

The cylindrical chamber 36 terminates at its upper edge in the cavity 38 which terminates at its upper edge in the axially disposed outlet hole 40. The closure pin 18 is reciprocally movable in the outlet hole 49 as will be hereinafter described in detail to effect an opening and closing oif of the cap.

The overcap 26 is reciprocally mounted on the nozzle 10 by forcing the same downwardly upon the nozzle whereby the internal annular bead 34 of the overcap is forced over the annular outer bead 24 of the nozzle with the pin 18 extending into the outlet hole 40, the bead 34 of the overcap engageable with the head 24 of the nozzle to limit the travel of the overcap and create a positive open position of the cap.

With the overcap 26 in the fully closed position upon the nozzle, as shown particularly in FIGURE 4, the annular bead 24 of the nozzle 10 abuts the lower edge of the cavity 38 as at 39 thereby defining the fully closed position with the pin 18 extending through the outlet hole 40 and the solid uninterrupted portion 21 of the pin 18 in contact with the wall of the outlet hole. As a result,

there is no flow possible out of the outlet hole 40 for the channel 20 is completely out of register with the cavity 38.

With the overcap 26 in a partially raised position, as in FIGURE 3, the solid uninterrupted portion 21 of the closure pin 18 is still in contact with the wall of the outlet hole and the outlet hole is thereby cut off and the cap is in a closed position. With the overcap 26 further raised to a point where in the internal annular head 34 of the overcap contacts the outer annular bead 24 of the nozzle 10, a portion of the channel 20 is inwardly of or below the upper limit of the cavity formation 38 thereby in register with and communicating with the hollow formation 38 and allowing a flow of material from the cylindrical base portion 12 through the openings 16 and out the outlet hole 40 via the channel 20, particularly as shown in FIG- URE 2. The channel 20 together with a portion of the wall of the outlet hole 4% defines an orifice for material, particularly as shown in FIG. 2.

To close the cap, the overcap 26 is forced downwardly upon the nozzle portion and as a result such initial movement forces some liquid present in the cavity 38 out through the outlet hole 40 but not in any appreciable amount for it can only exit through the relatively small orifice 40. After the initial movement of the overcap and upon further movement thereof, the solid :portion 21 of pin 18 comes opposite the wall of the outlet hole 40 and the channel 20 is thereby sealed off as particularly indicated in FIGURE 3. The overcap is then moved to the lowered and fully closed position of FIGURE 4. In closing the cap, the only liquid that can possibly be caused to spurt from the outlet hole 40 is the small amount that had been contained in the channel 20 as the bottom of the channel reach-ed the inwardmost edge of the outlet hole 40 as at 23. There is thus provided a restricted cut-off or closing of the outlet hole 40.

With a cap having a solid closure pin adapted to enter an outlet hole from a position fully removed from the hole, fluid is forced in a spurt out the entire outlet hole until the pin actually enters the outlet hole, said type of cap illustrated in particular in FIGURES 7 and 8. More specifically, in FIGURE 7 the old type of cap is shown in open position and when the closure pin is moved to a closed position as in FIGURE 8, the full brunt of the upper end of the pin pushes liquid out of the outlet hole as illustrated in FIGURE 8.

With applicants invention, a small orifice is produced in a manner which obviates the difficulties of molding a small orifice through a single piece of material. With this construction not only is a small orifice created but in coaction with the wall of the outlet hole, the orifice provides a valve for opening and closing the cap.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A closure cap for a container comprising:

(a) a nozzle having (b) a passageway for the flow of material therethrough and (c) a closure pin having a constant diameter and mounted on the upper end thereof,

(d) said pin having a channel formed thereon longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface thereof and extending to the outer free end thereof,

(e) an overcap having an upper end and a hollow portion and mounted on said nozzle for reciprocal movement thereon,

(f) said upper end of said overcap having an outlet hole communicating with said hollow portion and into which said closure pin extends with the lower end of said channel extended into said hollow portion in communication therewith thereby forming an orifice to allow flow of material through said channel and outlet hole when said overcap is moved in one direction upon said nozzle, said channel of a length to extend entirely into said outlet hole and out of communication with said hollow portion of said overcap when said overcap is moved in the opposite direction upon said nozzle thereby preventing flow of material through said channel and outlet hole.

2. A closure cap for a container comprising:

(a) a nozzle having (b) a passageway for the flow of material therethrough and (c) a closure pin having a constant diameter and mounted axially on the upper end thereof,

(d) said pin having a channel formed thereon longitudinally along a portion of the outer surface thereof and extending to the outer free end thereof,

(e) an overcap having an upper end and 'a hollow portion and mounted on said nozzle for reciprocal movement thereon,

(f) said upper end of said overcap having an outlet hole formed axially thereof and communicating with said hollow portion and into which said pin extends with said channel communicating with said hollow portion thereby forming an orifice to allow flow of material through said channel .and outlet hole when said overcap is moved in one direction upon said nozzle, said channel of a length to extend entirely into said outlet hole and out of communication with said hollow portion of said overcap when said overcap is moved in the opposite direction upon said nozzle thereby preventing flow of material through said channel and outlet hole.

3. A closure cap for a container comprising:

(a) a nozzle having (b) a passageway for the flow of material therethrough and (c) a closure pin having a constant diameter and mounted on the upper end thereof,

(d) an overcap having an upper end and a hollow portion and mounted on said nozzle for reciprocal movement thereon,

(e) said upper end of said overcap having an outlet hole communicating with said hollow portion of said overcap and into which said pin extends,

(f) said pin having a channel formed thereon longitudinally thereof along a portion of the outer surface and extending to the outer free end thereof, said channel and wall of said outlet hole defining an orifice leading from said hollow portion of said overcap and outwardly of said outlet hole when said overcap is moved in one direction on said nozzle, said channel of a length to extend entirely into said outlet hole and out of communication with said hollow portion of said overcap when said overcap is moved in the opposite direction on said nozzle thereby preventing flow of material through said channel and outlet hole.

4'. A closure cap for a container comprising:

(a) a nozzle having (b) a closure pin having a constant diameter and mounted on the upper end thereof (c) an overcap having (d) an upper end (e) formed with an outlet hole and mounted on said nozzle for reciprocal movement thereon,

(f) said pin having a channel formed thereon longitudinally thereof along a portion of the outer surface thereof and extending to the outer end of the pin, said channel and wall of said outlet defining an orifice leading from said nozzle and said overcap when said overcap is moved in one direction on said nozzle, said channel of a length to extend into said outlet hole and out of communication with said nozzle and overcap when said overcap is moved in the opposite direction on said nozzle thereby preventing flow of material through said channel and outlet hole.

5 6 5. A closure cap for a container comprising: when said overcap is moved in one direction of said (a) a nozzle having nozzle, said channel of a length to extend into said (b) a closure pin having a constant diameter and outlet hole and out of communication with said mounted on the upper end thereof nozzle and overcap when said overcap is moved in (c) an overcap having 5 the opposite direction on said nozzle thereby prevent- (d) an upper end ing flow of material through said channel and outlet (e) formed with an outlet hole and mounted on said hole.

nozzle for reciprocal movement thereon, (f) means for limiting the reciprocal movement of References Cited gaidtiivercatll on sai 1 1 ,1 f d th I 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS g sal pm aving a 0 anne orme ereon ongitudinally thereof along a portion of the outer sur- 3194453 7/1965 Cherb'a 222*521 face thereof and extending to the outer end of the pin, said channel and Wall of said outlet defining an JOSEPH LECLAIR Plmary Exammer' orifice leading from said nozzle and said overcap 15 PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner- 

1. A CLOSURE CAP FOR A CONTAINER COMPRISING: (A) A NOZZLE HAVING (B) A PASSAGEWAY FOR THE FLOW OF MATERIAL THERETHROUGH AND (C) A CLOSURE PIN HAVING A CONSTANT DIAMETER AND MOUNTED ON THE UPPER END THEREOF, (D) SAID PIN HAVING A CHANNEL FORMED THEREON LONGITUDINALLY ALONG A PORTION OF THE OUTER SURFACE THEREOF AND EXTENDING TO THE OUTER FREE END THEREOF, (E) AN OVERCAP HAVING AN UPPER END AND A HOLLOW PORTION AND MOUNTED ON SAID NOZZLE FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT THEREON, (F) SAID UPPER END OF SAID OVERCAP HAVING AN OUTLET HOLE COMMUNICATING WITH SAID HOLLOW PORTION AND INTO WHICH SAID CLOSURE PIN EXTENDS WITH THE LOWER END OF SAID CHANNEL EXTENDED INTO SAID HOLLOW PORTION IN COMMUNICATION THEREWITH THEREBY FORMING AN ORIFICE TO ALLOW FLOW OF MATERIAL THROUGH SAID CHANNEL AND OUTLET HOLE WHEN SAID OVERCAP IS MOVED IN ONE DIRECTION UPON SAID NOZZLE, SAID CHANNEL OF A LENGTH TO EXTEND ENTIRELY INTO SAID OUTLET HOLE AND OUT OF COMMUNICATION WITH SAID HOLLOW PORTION OF SAID OVERCAP WHEN SAID OVERCAP IS MOVED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION UPON SAID NOZZLE THEREBY PREVENTING FLOW OF MATERIAL THROUGH SAID CHANNEL AND OUTLET HOLE. 